Stand of free standing or mobile type

ABSTRACT

A stand comprising: a floor mount, a location mechanism for a unit to be supported; and at least one column extending between the floor mount to which it is attached by a first attachment and the location mechanism which is attached to, or integral with, an upper region of the or each column; the column having a longitudinal axis which is curved relative to a straight line extending between the first attachment and the location mechanism; the, or each, column serving to transmit loads applied to the stand by way of the location mechanism to the floor mount; the, or each, column comprising a hollow channel substantially symmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the front panel; the hollow spine having a cross section in the region of the floor stand which is greater than the cross section of the spine in the region of the location mechanism.

This application is a national stage completion of PCT/GB2004/002161filed May 20, 2004, which in turn claims priority from BritishApplication Serial No. 0311945.0 filed May 23, 2003.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a stand. It is particularly concerned with astand of a free standing or mobile type for supporting a relativelybulky object above floor or ground level while providing for stabledirectional alignment of the object relative to a datum direction fromthe stand.

There is a widespread and increasing need for mounting a display unit,such as a plasma screen, so that a number of people can readilycomprehend information displayed by way of the unit. In the case ofareas such as concourses, airport passenger areas, sporting arenas andstations a display unit can be raised well above the general eye leveland mounted on an existing structure. However for other viewingsituations there arises a need for a free standing stand which isreadily located at will in order to support a display unit in a stablemanner and at a height providing for unimpeded viewing by, say, visitorsto exhibitions, seated individuals at a meeting, students underinstruction or employees undergoing staff training. Such displaylocations, particularly when temporary, require the use of a displaystand, which is either complete or readily assembled. The stand needs tobe capable of ready location and removal or movement. In addition adisplay unit needs to be provided with one or more external link/s to apower and/or a data source. The presence of such a link or links shouldnot present a hazard to individuals moving in the vicinity of the standespecially when ambient light levels are low. In addition the attachmentand securing of such links should not adversely affect the stability ofthe stand. It is also desirable in many locations, particularlyprestigious ones, that the overall appearance of the stand in use (alongwith any attachments and their means of attachment) should not presentan untidy or ramshackle appearance.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided astand comprising:

a floor mount,

a location means for a unit to be supported; and

at least one column extending between the floor mount to which it isattached by a first attachment and the location means which is attachedto, or integral with, an upper region of the or each column; the columnhaving a longitudinal axis which is curved relative to a straight lineextending between the first attachment and the location means;

the, or each, column serving to transmit loads applied to the stand byway of the location means to the floor mount; the, or each, columncomprising a hollow channel substantially symmetrical about thelongitudinal axis of the front panel; the hollow spine having a crosssection in the region of the floor stand which is greater than the crosssection of the spine in the region of the location means.

According to a first preferred version of the first aspect of thepresent invention the, or at least one, column comprises in combination:

a front panel extending between floor mount and the location means andreducing in horizontal cross section in passing upwardly from the floormount to the location means; the front panel having a longitudinal axiswhich is curved relative to a straight line extending between the firstattachment and the second attachment; and

a hollow spine of U-section channel attached to the front panel suchthat the front panel serves to close the U-section such that the frontpanel and the hollow spine in combination provide a column substantiallysymmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the front panel; the hollowspine having a cross section in the region of the floor stand which isgreater than the cross section of the spine in the region of thelocation means.

According to a second preferred version of the first aspect of thepresent invention the, or at least one, column has a sequence ofapertures along at least part of the length of a wall of the columnchannel to enable a cable to be readily inserted into and drawn alongthe channel so as to extend within the spine from an entry into thespine by way of an aperture in the sequence in the vicinity of the floorstand and to pass out of the column by way of an aperture in thesequence in the vicinity of the location means so as to provide for thecable to provide a shrouded path for data or power cable within the, oreach, column having a sequence of apertures as aforesaid.

According to a third preferred version of the first aspect of thepresent invention or of any preceding preferred version thereof there isprovided on the column in the vicinity of the location a coupling meansincluding a socket or other supply termination for a power supply and/ora data coupling to enable a unit to be attached by means of attached tothe locating means to be demountably attached to a power or data supply.Typically the coupling is fed power and/or data by way of at least onecable extending from the coupling along the column by way of the hollowspine.

According to a fourth preferred version of the first aspect of thepresent invention or of any preceding preferred version thereof thefront panel incorporates at least one longitudinal slot extendingthrough the panel; the slot having an edge on the side of the panelwhich extends contiguously with an outside of a side wall of theU-section channel such that a flat member inserted through the slot fromthe side of the panel on the opposite side to the side to which thespine is attached is enabled to pass through the slot and lie in contactwith the side wall for support thereby over an extend contact area.Typically a shelf support extends through the slot for attachment to thespine; the support projecting outwardly from the front of the frontpanel to receive a shelf to support an item or item at a locationbeneath the location means.

According to a fifth preferred version of the first aspect of thepresent invention or of any preceding preferred version thereof thefloor mount is demountably attached to the column by coupling means sothat a floor mount having given outside dimension can only be attachedto a column whose height is related to the outside dimensions of thefloor mount so that the combination of the floor mount and the columncan support an added display or other unit secured to the location meansin a stable configuration without added support.

According to a sixth preferred version of the first aspect of thepresent invention or of any preceding preferred version wherein thefloor mount is provided with wheels to enable the stand to be displacedby rolling on the wheels.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provideda display assembly comprising a display unit secured to the locatingmeans of a stand as claimed in any preceding claim. Typically thedisplay unit is a plasma screen.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

An exemplary embodiment of the invention will now be described withreference to the accompanying drawings of two embodiments ofaudio-visual equipment stand in respect of which:

(for a first embodiment)

FIG. 1 is a front view from the left-hand side;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevation; and

FIG. 5 is a view of the stand shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 with equipmentmounted on it; and

(for a second embodiment)

FIG. 6 is a front view from the left-hand side;

FIG. 7 is a front elevation;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation;

FIG. 9 is a rear elevation;

FIG. 10 is a plan view from above;

FIG. 11 is a view from the front of the stand shown in FIGS. 6 to 10with equipment mounted on it; and

FIG. 12 is a rear view of the stand of FIGS. 6 to 10 with a displayscreen mounted on it.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION First Embodiment

FIGS. 1 to 5 variously show a stand 11 comprising a floor mount 12, alocation pad 13 for a unit to be supported; and a column 14 extendingbetween the floor mount 12 to the location pad 13 which, in this case,is integral with the column 14. The column 14 serves to transmit loadsapplied to the stand 11 by way of the location pad 13.

The column 14 comprises in combination: a front panel 16 extendingbetween floor mount 12 and the location pad 13. The front panel 16reduces in horizontal cross section in passing upwardly from the floormount 12 to the location pad 13. The front panel 16 has a longitudinalaxis 16A that is curved relative to a straight line 16B extendingbetween foot 17 of the column 14 and the location pad 13.

A hollow spine 20 of U-section channel is attached to the back of thefront panel 16 such that the front panel 16 serves to close theU-section. The front panel 16 and the hollow spine 20 in combinationprovide column 14. The hollow spine 20 has a horizontal cross section inthe region of the floor mount 12 that is greater than the cross sectionof the spine 20 in the region of the location pad 13.

Turning now to FIGS. 4 and 5 the hollow spine 20 has in its rear wall 21a sequence of apertures 22A-G along the length of spine to enable one ormore power cables to be readily inserted into and drawn internally alongthe spine 20 so as to extend within the spine from entry aperture 22Aadjacent the floor mount 12 up the spine 20 to a terminal block 25 abovethe location pad 13. In this case the terminal block provides individualsockets 25A-25D. A similar path can be used to provide a route for dataor other signal carrying cables which can enter at the entry aperture22A or can enter at some intermediate point in the length of the spine20 (such as from equipment mounted on a shelf described hereafter inconnection with FIG. 5).

The front plate 16 of the column 14 is pierced by two vertical parallelslots 30, 31. These pass through plate 16 and open onto back 16B of theplate 16 close to a sidewall of the spine 20. In the case of slot 31(FIG. 3) there is mounted on wall region W, of spine 20, adjacent to,and running the length of, the slot 31 a spaced sequence of pegs(34A-G). An adjacent vertical pair of pegs in the sequence serve toanchor a shelf 35 the in-board end of a support bracket 36A whoseoutboard end extends through the slot 31 to provide a support on thefront of the column 14 for shelf 35. A matching shelf support 36Bextends through slot 30 and is retained on the spine 20 in a waymirroring that of support bracket 36.

The vertical separation of the pegs 34A-G is selected to ensure thatdespite the curvature of the column along wall region W the verticalseparation of shelf 35 from any other shelf also located on the columnis kept constant and the shelf is maintained horizontal. In this firstembodiment it is provided so that up to three shelves can be located andused at any one time.

FIG. 5 shows a plasma screen 40 secured to the location pad 13 by way ofa mounting frame 41.

The shelf 35 serves to support electronic equipment for use with theplasma screen 40 such as a video playback unit. Such a unit is readilypowered from the terminal block 25 and the cable for this [purpose, aswell as a data link cable from the recorder to the plasma screen, isreadily and tidily housed in the spine 20 making use of one ofintermediate apertures in the sequence aperture 22B to 22G.

In this first embodiment the column 14 is attached by projections (notshown) and bolts 41, 42 to the wheeled base 12. The location of castors43-46 is selected to ensure that the center of gravity of the assembledstand and display unit lies well within the area bounded by the castors43-46.

Second Embodiment

FIGS. 6 to 12 variously show a stand 61 comprising a floor mount 62, alocation region 63 for a unit to be supported; and columns 64, 65extending between the floor mount 62 to the location region 63. Thecolumn 64, 65 serves to transmit loads applied to the stand 11 in thelocation region 63.

In view of the identical form and function of columns 64, 65 in whatfollows the features of column 64 are described and componentsidentified by a reference numeral. Following the reference numeral forcolumn 64 the corresponding reference numeral for column 65 is shown inbrackets but are not described further.

Column 64 (65) comprises a square section hollow tube. Column 64 (65)has a longitudinal axis 64A (65A) which is curved relative to a straightline 64B (65B) extending between foot 67 (68) of the column 64 (65) andthe part of column 64 (65) lying in the location region 63. At foot 67(68) of column 64 (65) there is provided an integral foot 70 (71).

Turning now to FIGS. 9 and 12 the column 64 (65) has in its rear wall 72(73) a sequence of apertures 74A-G (75A-G) along the length of thecolumn 64 (65) to enable one or more power cables to be readily insertedinto and drawn internally along the column 64 (65) so as to extendwithin the spine from entry aperture 74A (75A) adjacent the integralfoot 70 (71) up the column 64 (65) to a terminal block 77 in thelocation region 63. In this embodiment end 70A (71A) of the integralfoot 70 (71) is open and can provide a further possible entry point forcabling.

In this case the terminal block 77 provides individual power sockets. Asimilar path can be used to provide a route for data or other signalcarrying cables which can enter at the entry aperture 74A (75A) or canenter at some intermediate point in the length of the column 64 (65)(such as from equipment mounted on a shelf described hereafter inconnection with FIG. 11).

FIG. 11 shows the stand of FIGS. 6-10 when equipped with a plasma screen79 (see also FIG. 12) and a shelf 80 secured by clamp 81 to a mountingbracket 82. In this embodiment the bracket is attached to the columns 64(65) by means of apertures in the sequence 74A-G (75A-G). The shelf 80is used for an electronic unit (such as a video recorder) used incombination with screen 79.

FIG. 12 shows a mounting plate 78 secured to the columns 64 (65) in thelocation region 63. The mounting plate 78 is selected so as toaccommodate the plasma screen 79 to be used.

In this second embodiment the floor mount 62 is a flat plate which isreadily slid over smooth and/or uniform surfaces. The dimensions of thefloor mount 62 and the curvature of columns 64 (65) is selected toensure that with a given plasma screen 79 in place the center of gravityof the screen/column combination lies well within the plan area of thefloor mount so as to provide for a stable configuration in use.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The two embodiments show freestanding columns of striking appearance foruse with types of audio/visual equipment. Examples of display units areshown but the stands could be used for other equipment requiring anelevated position such as a loud speaker or array of speakers. In useeither of the stands provides for equipment to be connected to one ormore cables. These can reach the stand over surrounding ground, floor orcarpet and enter the column at a low point, pass up the column to asocket or other connection arrangement in the vicinity of the region ofthe unit mounted at the top of the stand. This provides for a tidyappearance, The stands also provide for the ready mounting of additionalequipment to be used with a display unit as shown located on the upperpart of the stand.

1. A stand comprising: a floor mount; a location means for a unit to besupported; and at least one column extending between the floor mount towhich the column is attached by a first attachment and the locationmeans which is attached to, or integral with, an upper region of the atleast one column; the column having a longitudinal axis which is curvedrelative to a straight line extending between the first attachment andthe location means; the at least one column comprising in combination; afront panel extending between floor mount and the location means andreducing in horizontal cross-section in passing upwardly from the floormount to the location means; the front panel having a longitudinal axiswhich is curved relative to a straight line extending between the firstattachment and the second attachment; a hollow spine of U-sectionchannel attached to the front panel such that the front panel serves toclose the U-section so that the front panel and the hollow spine incombination provide for the column to be substantially symmetrical aboutthe longitudinal axis of the front panel; the hollow spine having across-section in the region of the floor stand which is greater than thecross-section of the spine in the region of the location means; the atleast one column serving to transmit loads applied to the stand by wayof the location means to the floor mount; the at least one columncomprising a hollow channel substantially symmetrical about thelongitudinal axis of the front panel; and a hollow spine having across-section in the region of the floor stand which is greater than thecross-section of the spine in the region of the location means.
 2. Thestand according to claim 1, wherein the at least one column has asequence of apertures along at least part of the length of a wall of thecolumn channel to enable a cable to be readily inserted into and drawnalong the channel so as to extend within the column from an entry intothe column by way of an aperture in the sequence in the vicinity of thefloor mount and to pass out of the column by way of an aperture in thesequence in the vicinity of the location means so as to provide for thecable a shrouded path for data or power cable within the at least onecolumn having a sequence of apertures as aforesaid.
 3. The standaccording to claim 1, wherein there is provided an the column in thevicinity of the location a coupling means including a socket or othersupply termination for a power supply and/or a data coupling to enable aunit to be attached to the locating means can be demountably attached toa power or data supply.
 4. The stand according to claim 1, wherein thecoupling is fed power and/or data by way of at least one cable extendingfrom the coupling and within the column.
 5. The stand according to claim1, wherein the front panel incorporates at least one longitudinal slotextending through the panel; the slot having an edge on the side of thepanel which extends contiguously with an outside of a side wall of theU-section channel such that a flat member inserted through the slot fromthe side of the panel on the opposite side to the side to which thespine is attached is enabled to pass through the slot and lie in contactwith the side wall for support thereby over an extend contact area. 6.The stand according to claim 4, wherein a shelf support extends throughthe slot for attachment to the column; the support projecting outwardlyfrom the front of the front panel to receive a shelf to support an itemor item at a location beneath the location means.
 7. The stand accordingto claim 1, wherein the floor mount is demountably attached to thecolumn by the first attachment so that a floor mount having givenoutside dimension can only be attached to a column whose height isrelated to the outside dimensions of the floor mount so that thecombination of the floor mount and the column can support an addeddisplay or other unit secured to the location means in a stableconfiguration without added support.
 8. The display assembly accordingto claim 1, wherein the display unit is a plasma screen.